GORINCHEM – The Lords of Arkel lived in considerably more spacious housing than previously thought. This came to light during excavations between the Dalemsedijk and the Merwede, uncovering remains of walls. Archaeologists spent the weekend recording the finds and taking away remains of pottery for study.
Archaeological research into the castle of the lords of Arkel in the Wijdschild in Gorinchem
De Lords of Arkel were in charge of Gorinchem in the thirteenth century. In 1815, foundations of the Arkel castle were excavated on the current Kasteelplaats at the time that the Dalemsedijk was constructed. Based on this, reconstructions of the castle were made, which, however, have to be drastically revised after the current excavations. It seems that the Lords of Arkel lived in a much larger castle than was previously assumed.
It is not known exactly when the castle was built, but it must have been between 1267 and 1290. After the Arkel War the shelter was built on the orders of the then Count of Holland William of Bavaria burned down, after which the walls were pulled down. The how and why unfortunately remains shrouded in mystery, but the remains have only now surfaced
Gorcumse Courant
August 28, 1996